Speech, Language and Cognition MRes

This interdisciplinary MRes is aimed at applicants whose interest in language spans more than one discipline. Building on a first degree in linguistics, speech sciences, psychology, cognitive science, or a cognate discipline, students plan their own programme of study, selecting from a range of courses in several different UCL departments.

Key Information

Modes and duration

Full-time: 1 year

Part-time: 2 years

Tuition Fees (2015/16)

UK/EU:

£8,755 (FT)£4,375 (PT)

Overseas:

£22,760 (FT)£11,330 (PT)

Application deadlines

All applicants:

31 July 2015

Entry Requirements

Normally a minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.

English Language Requirements

If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency.

International students

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below.

Select your country:

International equivalencies

Degree Information

Students are introduced to academic and key skills essential for all fields of research in Speech, Language and Cognition, gain research training with relevant supervisors from the Centre for Human Communication, and are able to assess and critically appraise theoretical and applied research relevant to speech, language and cognition.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of two core modules (30 credits), four options (30 credits), a research project (105 credits) and plan (15 credits).

Core Modules

Foundation Course

Research Methods

Options

Options are chosen from at least two from the following fields of study:

Auditory Processing

Speech Processing: Perception and Production

Phonetics and Phonology

Syntax and Morphology

Semantics and Pragmatics

Language Development

Language Processing and Pathology

Cognition and Communication

Neurobiology of Language

Theory Construction and Modelling

Dissertation/report

All students undertake an independent research project on an aspect of speech, language and cognition which culminates in a research plan of 3,000–6,000 words and a dissertation of 10,000 words.

Teaching and Learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of small group teaching, seminars, student-led research tutorials, self-study materials, supervised laboratory placement, lectures and computer-based practical classes. It is largely assessed by coursework, with only the statistics component being assessed by exam. The research project is assessed by dissertation.

Funding

One award of £500 is available on behalf of the Centre for Human Communication. All successful MRes applicants will be considered for this award.

Scholarships relevant to this department are displayed below. For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

Careers

A large proportion of our students go on to study for a PhD and pursue a career in academia. The MRes is excellent preparation for a PhD degree and we have been very successful at getting candidates onto funded programmes. A number of graduates have returned to clinical practice as specialised speech and language therapists, or have gone on to work as researchers. Others go on to work in other fields ranging from business to education. The skills that the MRes develops – independent research, presentation skills, and statistics – are very highly sought-after outside academia.

Why study this degree at UCL?

The Division of Psychology & Language Sciences undertakes world-leading research and teaching in mind, behaviour, and language.

Our work attracts staff and students from around the world. Together they create an outstanding and vibrant environment, taking advantage of cutting-edge resources such as a behavioural neuroscience laboratory, a centre for brain imaging, and extensive laboratories for research in speech and language, perception, and cognition.

Opportunities for graduate students to work with world-renowned researchers exist in all areas of investigation, from basic processes to applied research. The division offers a supportive environment including numerous specialist seminars, workshops, and guest lectures.

Degree reviews

Staff review

"The current department with which I am affiliated is one of the best in the UK and also in the world, so I feel privileged to work in such a high-quality environment. The available research facilities offer me an enormous range of opportunities to develop my research ambitions."

Dr Jyrki Tuomainen

Subject: Speech, Language and Cognition MRes

Application and next steps

Applications

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

Who can apply?

The programme is aimed at students with a first degree in a language-related area, and provides excellent preparation for further research in a language-related field of study, and may form the basis of a 1+3 or 4-year PhD programme in one of the contributing departments.